WINNIPEG — First quarter touchdowns from both the Manitoba offence and defence gave the hometown Bisons an early lead over the UBC Thunderbirds who were not able to overcome the deficit nor a rash of injuries as the 'Birds fell 37-19 at IG Field Saturday afternoon.
The Bisons' (2-2) run game powered their offence in this one, as the three-headed attack of Victor St. Pierre-Laviolette, Michael Ritchott, and Logan Fischer led Manitoba to 260 yards on the ground — well out-pacing the 106 totalled by UBC (0-4).
"It's such a luxury to have three guys like that, who can rotate," said Bisons head coach Brian Dobie.
"These specific backs too, because Logan is a back who can get a yard for us and he does that if we use him accordingly. The other two are speed and make people miss and delivering the punches. We're fortunate to have those three guys."
St. Pierre-Laviolette led all players with 108 rushing yards on 13 carries. Ritchott chipped in 68 on eight rushes, while Fischer had 65 on six carries.
Turnovers and penalties were the crux for the Thunderbirds, meanwhile, who are still winless on the season.
Quarterback
Tommy Yanchuk threw two first-half interceptions, including one that was returned to the house by Bisons corner Arjay Shelley, and was pulled from the game in the second quarter.
The Thunderbirds got some life, however, when
Daniel Appiah returned a Manitoba punt 88 yards for a touchdown. The score cut what was a 20-2 lead to an 11-point game.
In the second half, though, second-year pivot
Gabe Olivares — who replaced Yanchuk — threw another critical pick, this one in the fourth quarter to Manitoba halfback Shae Weekes. Just before that, UBC had made it a two-score game again with a 33-yard rushing touchdown by
Jacob Patten.
The open door was squandered, though, as Manitoba was able to hold a lead and seal the win with a Matt Riley field goal — one of three in the game — in the last two minutes.
UBC also had 115 penalty yards, compared to just 52 for the Bisons.
Still in search of their first win on the season, the T-Birds return home to host the Alberta Golden Bears (3-1) next Saturday, September 28
th at Thunderbird Stadium.
